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In a jaw-dropping exclusive, Rihanna, the global superstar and Fenty empire mogul, has peeled back the curtain on her high-profile romance with rapper A$AP Rocky, revealing a relationship that’s far from perfect but grounded in an unbreakable bond as parents. The 37-year-old singer, who is expecting her third child with Rocky, recently spoke candidly about the “red flags” that have tested their love, while showering praise on his role as a devoted father to their sons, RZA and Riot, and their soon-to-be-born child. This bombshell interview, featured in a recent cover story, has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, leaving fans buzzing about the couple’s dynamic and what it means for their future.
A Love Story Born from Friendship
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s romance is the stuff of modern fairy tales, but it didn’t start with a spark. The pair first crossed paths in 2012 at the MTV Video Music Awards, where Rocky famously grabbed Rihanna’s backside during a performance of her hit “Cockiness (Love It).” While the move raised eyebrows, Rihanna later admitted it didn’t bother her, hinting at the chemistry that would simmer for years. “My team was worried I’d want his head on a mantle,” she told Interview magazine, laughing off the incident. “But when I was cool with it, they knew I liked him.”
For nearly a decade, the two danced around romance, maintaining a close friendship while collaborating on music and fashion projects. Rihanna appeared in Rocky’s 2013 “Fashion Killa” music video, and he joined her Diamonds World Tour. Their bond deepened in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought them closer. “He became my family in that time,” Rihanna told Vogue, describing how their friendship blossomed into love. By November 2020, they were officially a couple, and in May 2021, Rocky declared Rihanna “the One” in a GQ interview, gushing, “It’s so much better when you got the One.”
Red Flags in the Spotlight
Despite their undeniable chemistry, Rihanna’s recent revelations paint a picture of a relationship with its share of turbulence. In a candid moment, she admitted that Rocky is “not yet the perfect partner,” a statement that has sparked intense speculation. Sources close to the couple point to past incidents that have raised eyebrows, including Rocky’s 2015 comments to i-D magazine about preferring open relationships. “My best times with women is when I’m honest. I tell her I might f**k another woman, it helps,” he said, adding that he might “settle down” with two girlfriends. Rihanna, on the other hand, has expressed a more traditional view, telling Interview in 2010, “In a perfect book, there would be marriage and kids.”
These differing perspectives on monogamy have fueled rumors of tension. In April 2022, while Rihanna was pregnant with their first child, RZA, cheating allegations rocked their relationship. X posts claimed Rocky had been unfaithful with shoe designer Amina Muaddi, prompting a swift denial from Muaddi herself. “I initially assumed that this fake gossip would not be taken seriously,” she wrote on X, slamming the rumors. Just a month later, another woman, Jilly O’Donnell, accused Rocky of sending her flirty Instagram messages, claiming she was “shocked” to learn he was with a pregnant Rihanna. Though the couple never publicly addressed these claims, the whispers of infidelity have lingered.
Financial disparities have also been a point of contention. Rihanna, with a net worth of $1.4 billion from her music, Fenty Beauty, and Savage Fenty empire, dwarfs Rocky’s estimated $20 million fortune. According to Women, this gap could create a “power struggle dynamic,” especially given Rihanna’s lavish spending, like her $21 million Los Angeles penthouse purchase in 2023. “If he ever feels his work commitments aren’t as important as hers, it could cause tension,” noted celebrity relationship expert Nicole Moore.
Rihanna herself hinted at smaller, everyday frustrations. In her Interview magazine chat, she playfully called out Rocky’s flashy fashion choices, saying, “I be feeling bummy as shit next to this man. I’m like, ‘Why you got to do that to me?’” She even accused him of cheating at card games, revealing a lighter side to their dynamic. Yet, despite these red flags, Rihanna emphasized that their love is built on mutual respect and understanding. “When someone sees you completely and believes in you, it’s a great feeling,” she said. “I felt the same about him.”
The Perfect Father
While Rihanna is open about Rocky’s imperfections as a partner, she has nothing but praise for his role as a father. The couple welcomed their first son, RZA, in May 2022, followed by Riot in August 2023, and announced their third pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala. “The greatest thing is seeing him be a dad,” Rihanna told Harper’s Bazaar. “His pureness. His charm. I’m annoyed because my sons sometimes just live for him more than they live for me.”
Rocky’s dedication to fatherhood is evident in his actions and words. In a 2022 Dazed interview, he shared his hopes for his children, saying, “I will always remind my children to never lose their imagination, even as adults.” He’s been hands-on, with Rihanna noting that their sons are “obsessed” with him. “The second Rocky makes eye contact with him, he is on fire,” she told British Vogue, describing the bond between Rocky and RZA. Riot, meanwhile, is a “hilarious” morning alarm who “loves to sing,” according to Rihanna.
The couple’s commitment to their children shines through in their efforts to give them a normal childhood despite their fame. Rocky told Billboard in 2024 that he wants his kids to grow up like he did in Harlem, emphasizing, “They human beings.” He’s also protective, with Rihanna fiercely guarding their privacy. “Throw me to the wolves. Do what you want with me. But he doesn’t have a say in any of this,” she told British Vogue about RZA, refusing to let paparazzi exploit her children.
Their family moments are heartwarming. In September 2023, they shared adorable photos of their family of four, with Rocky carrying RZA on his shoulders while Rihanna held Riot. The couple also starred in a Bottega Veneta Father’s Day campaign with their sons, who wore onesies proclaiming Rocky the “best dad.” Rihanna’s pride in Rocky’s fatherhood is palpable, as she told Page Six, “I love him differently as a dad. It’s a turn-on.”
A Growing Family and Uncertain Future
The announcement of their third child, reportedly a girl, has added a new layer to their story. Rocky let slip the baby’s gender at the Smurfs premiere in June 2025, holding up a Smurfette doll and saying, “It is, man, it is.” Rihanna confirmed the name will start with an “R,” continuing the family tradition. “It’s the one thing we don’t fight over,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
Despite their joy as parents, questions about their relationship persist. Marriage rumors have swirled since Rocky called Rihanna his “wife” at a 2023 Cannes performance, and their “D.M.B.” music video featured a wedding scene with Rihanna in a red veil. However, they’ve never confirmed a legal marriage, and a recent trial raised questions about spousal privilege, suggesting they may not be married. “They could but it won’t do any good now,” a Reddit user speculated about a potential last-minute marriage to avoid testimony.
Rocky’s legal troubles, including a 2021 felony assault case that ended in a not guilty verdict in February 2025, have also tested their bond. Rihanna stood by him, attending court and supporting him through the ordeal. “She knows when to hold it down,” Rocky told Elle, praising her loyalty.
A Love That Endures
As Rihanna and Rocky prepare to welcome their third child, their relationship remains a complex tapestry of love, challenges, and unwavering commitment to family. Rihanna’s candid admission of Rocky’s imperfections humanizes their glamorous romance, while her praise for his fatherhood elevates him as a partner in parenting. “We’re best friends with a baby,” she told British Vogue, capturing the essence of their bond.
Fans are left wondering: will they overcome the red flags to build a lasting partnership, or will their differences prove too much? For now, Rihanna and Rocky are focused on their growing family, proving that while their love may not be perfect, their dedication to their children is unshakable. As Rihanna put it, “Everything changes when you have a baby, but I wouldn’t say it’s done anything but made us closer.”